A.—2

20

16. The Governor in Council may from time to time make, amend, and repeal rules and regulations for the better carrying-out of the provisions of this Act. 17. The penalty for any contravention of this Act, or of any rule or regulation passed thereunder where no higher penalty is expressly imposed, shall not exceed a fine of fifty pounds sterling, or imprisonment, with or without hard labour, until payment of such fine or in addition to such fine, but not exceeding in any case three months. 18. All contraventions of this Act or of rules or regulations thereunder and suits for penalties or other moneys not exceeding one hundred pounds sterling shall be cognisable by Magistrates.

Schedule A. Colony of Natal. This is to certify that , of , aged ,by trade or calling ,is a fit and proper person to be received as an immigrant in Natal. Dated at , this day of (Signature.) Schedule B. To the Colonial Secretary. Sir,— I claim to be exempt from the operation of Act No. , 1897. My full name is My place of abode for the past twelve months has been My business or calling is I was born at , in the year Tours, &c, Given at Government House, Natal, this fifth day of May, 1897. By command of His Excellency the Governor, Thos. K. Mubbay, Colonial Secretary.

No. 27. * (No. 48.) My Lord,.— Downing Street, 18th August, 1897. I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Ministers, the accompanying copy of the documents noted below, on the subject of the tax which is imposed upon commercial travellers in New Zealand. I have, &c, EDWABD WINGFIELD. For the Secretary of State. The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Enclosure. Sic, — Drummond Boad, London, S.E., 10th August, 1897. Being aware of the active interest which you have recently displayed in the matter of bringing the colonies into a closer commercial relationship with the Mother-country, we venture to append an extract from a letter received a few days ago from our traveller. You will notice his report that, on landing at Wellington, New Zealand, he had to pay a new tax of £50. As the imposition of such a tax seems difficult to reconcile with any colonial attempt to facilitate commercial intercourse with the colony, we shall be glad to hear whether power has been reserved for exempting British manufacturers from this fresh hindrance to the importation of their goods into New Zealand. We may add that we expect that our traveller will only spend two months in New Zealand. Tendering our respectful thanks in advance, We are, &c, The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, M.P., Peak, Frean, and Co, Secretary of State for the Colonies, Downing Street, S.W,

Date. Description of Document. 10th August, 1897 .... Messrs. Peek, Frean, and Co. to Colonial Office, and enclosure.